Build Boundary (Data Management)

Summary

Updates the extent of the boundary when adding new raster datasets to a mosaic dataset that extend beyond its previous coverage.

Illustration

Usage

• Boundaries can only be generated for mosaic datasets stored within a geodatabase.

• If you remove or add rasters, or modify the extent of the footprints, you should use this tool to rebuild the boundary.

• If you modify the shape of the boundary polygon (using editing tools), you can use this tool to recreate the original (unmodified) boundary.

Parameters

Dialog

Label	Explanation	Data Type
Mosaic Dataset	Select the mosaic dataset where you want to recompute the boundary.	Mosaic Layer
Query Definition (Optional)	An SQL query to compute a boundary for select raster datasets. Use this option in conjunction with the Append to Existing Boundary option to save time when adding new raster datasets.	SQL Expression
Append To Existing Boundary (Optional)	Use this option when adding new raster datasets to an existing mosaic dataset. Instead of calculating the entire boundary, it will merge the boundary of the new raster datasets with the existing boundary. Checked—Append the perimeter of footprints to the existing boundary. This can save time when adding additional raster data to the mosaic dataset, as the entire boundary will not be recalculated. If there are rasters selected, the boundary will be recalculated to include only the selected footprints. This is the default. Unchecked—Recompute the boundary in its entirety.	Boolean
Simplification Method (Optional)	Specifies the simplification method that will be used to reduce the number of vertices, since a dense boundary can affect performance. Choose the simplification method to use to simplify the boundary. None—No simplification method will be used. This is the default. Convex hull—The minimum bounding geometry of the mosaic dataset will be used to simplify the boundary. If there are disconnected footprints, a minimum bounding geometry for each continuous group of footprints will be used to simplify the boundary. Envelope—The envelope of the mosaic dataset will provide a simplified boundary. If there are disconnected footprints, an envelope for each continuous group of footprints will be used to simplify the boundary.	String

Derived Output

Label	Explanation	Data Type
Updated Input Mosaic Dataset	The updated mosaic dataset.	Mosaic Layer

Python

arcpy.management.BuildBoundary(in_mosaic_dataset, {where_clause}, {append_to_existing}, {simplification_method})

Name	Explanation	Data Type
in_mosaic_dataset	Select the mosaic dataset where you want to recompute the boundary.	Mosaic Layer
where_clause (Optional)	An SQL query to compute a boundary for select raster datasets. Use this option in conjunction with setting the append_to_existing parameter to APPEND to save time when adding new raster datasets.	SQL Expression
append_to_existing (Optional)	Set this to APPEND when adding new raster datasets to an existing mosaic dataset. Instead of calculating the entire boundary, APPEND will merge the boundary of the new raster datasets with the existing boundary. OVERWRITE—Recompute the boundary in its entirety. APPEND—Append the perimeter of footprints to the existing boundary. This can save time when adding additional raster data to the mosaic dataset, as the entire boundary will not be recalculated. If there are rasters selected, the boundary will be recalculated to include only the selected footprints. This is the default.	Boolean
simplification_method (Optional)	Specifies the simplification method that will be used to reduce the number of vertices, since a dense boundary can affect performance. Choose the simplification method to use to simplify the boundary. NONE—No simplification method will be used. This is the default. CONVEX_HULL—The minimum bounding geometry of the mosaic dataset will be used to simplify the boundary. If there are disconnected footprints, a minimum bounding geometry for each continuous group of footprints will be used to simplify the boundary. ENVELOPE—The envelope of the mosaic dataset will provide a simplified boundary. If there are disconnected footprints, an envelope for each continuous group of footprints will be used to simplify the boundary.	String

Derived Output

Name	Explanation	Data Type
out_mosaic_dataset	The updated mosaic dataset.	Mosaic Layer

Code sample

BuildBoundary example (Python window)

This is a Python sample for the BuildBoundary tool.

import arcpy
arcpy.BuildBoundary_management("c:/workspace/Boundary.gdb/md", "#", 
                               "APPEND", "CONVEX_HULL")

BuildBoundary example 2 (stand-alone script)

This is a Python script for the BuildBoundary tool.

# Build boundary only for the Quickbird data

import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/Workspace"

mdname = "boundary.gdb/md"
query = "SensorName = 'QuickBird'"
mode = "OVERWRITE"
simplify = "#"

arcpy.BuildBoundary_management(mdname, query, mode, simplify)

Environments

Parallel Processing Factor

Licensing information

• Basic: No
• Standard: Yes
• Advanced: Yes